Heads up to all you Submission Grappling fans out there………… IronHeart Promotions, under the guidance and vision of owner Mr. Ray Thompson and his associate Mr. Tommy Seigler, has succeeded in “putting a new face” on the submission grappling scene. Submission grappling has failed to gain wide public support because it lacked the hard core excitement of the NHB/UFC events. Submission grappling has the reputation of playing the “points” scene – BOOOOORRRRING!!!!!!!!!!! Well, all you action fans out there that like to see the competitors “go for blood” step up to the ring ——- with IronHeart Promotions “new rules” – no points – NO STALLING —- fighting for submission is the goal. IHP’s tournaments are not for the weak spirited, let me tell you, these fighters have to be in excellent physical shape – able to turn it on wide open for the full 5 minutes therefore giving the crowd some heart stopping, hand wrenching, nail biting non stop action.
According to the competitors that participated in the Tournament held on January 28, 2002 at Ray Thompson’s Upstate Karate in Simpsonville SC, this was the best event, with the best level of competitors that they had been to. This is the first of four tournaments to be held in 2002 and sanctioned by the ISCF. The first three tournaments are qualifiers for regional title belt championships to be held at the end of 2002. Each winner, 1st through 4th place will earn points that will qualify them to fight for a title belt. The January 28th tournament started off with a “bang”; even without the striking and kicking, the excitement and action of these matches would give the UFC and PRIDE a run for their money. Over 60 competitors came from all over the southeast to test their skills and with a NINTY SIX percent submission rate – WOW these matches were white knuckled tense.
Team Psychward from Hilton Head SC, started the action off with a “challenge” —- Japanese Shooto – “we’ll show the Brazilians that BJJ is NOT the only game in town”. Let me tell you , they certainly made good on their promise, with flying arm bars, cartwheels, and flashy techniques that would make Pele’s signature antics jealous. These guys were amazing. Brothers Muhsin and Beau Corbbrey’s goals of fighting in the UFC and fighting in Japan will not be a hard goal to reach. I think I’ll get their autographs now, because when I see them on Pay Per View, I’ll sell them for lots of money!!!!! These guys are “ripped” and technically beautiful to watch!!!!
Team Ground Zero – a fight club from Huntington WV – combines many different grappling styles in their training regime. They made a great showing, using more conventional arm bars and chokes but they kept the action rolling and breathtaking as well. Dustin Ware, the teams PR man, will be a judge for the upcoming Ohio Cage Fighting Championship. And, you could not meet a nicer guy than the team’s instructor Ashley Lockwood, OUTSIDE the ring that is. Inside the competition ring – well NICE is not the word I would use.
Team Anaconda came out in force. Competing under the Jacare Alliance Banner, they showed more of the traditional brazilian jiu-jitsu style and they certainly stepped up to the “Challenge” issued – Japan vs Brazil. These guys were muscled, dark and dangerous. I would have certainly thought twice before issuing the challenge. Professor Luis “Sucuri” Togno, a black belt instructor from Charlotte, NC, was there as coach and some of his signature moves were escapes that were actually submissions. Now, WHO would want to SIMPLY escape when they could submit as they are doing it??????? Wish I had a video camera, because even though I begged and pleaded, his fighters just simply would NOT do their moves in slow motion for me. I HATE it when there is no instant slow motion replay.
Our home town team – Upstate Karate – trained by Mr. Ray Thompson, brazilian jiu-jitsu, and Mr Casey Oxendine, Marco Ruas Vale Tudo, came in fast and furious. Blake Grice and his opponent Scott Estrada, team Alliance, came out with pure determination. It didn’t take long for these two to take it to the mat. Once there, the positions changed so often it was impossible to keep up with the movement. Finally Blake got the back position and attempted the rear choke. Scott had other things on his mind though, he tucked his chin and blocked the choke and started on his escape. Blake kept switching his hands, digging them in deeper each time until finally the TAP. Blake’s second match teamed him up against Andrew “Sprout” Varney from Team Ground Zero. These two poured heart and soul into the fight, but finally Blake capitalized on Sprout`s attempted escape from the guard and turned it into a triangle choke. Blake`s goal is to compete NHB and from what I saw today, he`ll be on the scene in no time short. Joshua Domalgaski, a new comer on the scene with the heart of a lion, strutted his stuff today. His opponent Richard Romero from Mark Mills Columbia Martial Arts was up for the challenge. The match had so much rolling action and so many submission attempts it made me tired just watching. The two came out fighting from the word go, taking it to the ground in less than 3 seconds, attempting chokes – then escaping, attempting arm bars – then escaping, attempting rolling knee bars – then escaping, then quicker than the eye could see —- A TAP. Submission by ankle lock, winner Josh.
Of all the competitors today though, the ONE that stood out in my mind was a sole competitor – came by himself – no team – no coach – a mild mannered, soft spoken solitary warrior. This Ronin walked around all day long in a quiet relaxed manner, yellow cd player on his side, head phones on. When he stepped into the ring, he maintained the same quiet demeanor. Never got excited, never got flustered, just totally methodical and relaxed. I actually saw him turn ‘purple’ a couple of times as his aggressive opponents attempted choke after choke. Then out of the blue, with the quick precision of a snake striking it’s prey, the strike hit it’s mark and the opponent was tapping as ankle after ankle fell victim to this ‘catch wrestlers’ foot locks. Chris Rogers is this solitary warrior and ended up “king of the hill” as he took first place in his weight division and first place in absolute. He came to compete and he ‘kicked butt`, took his “gold cup” and went home. We’ll see lots of this guy in the future, he is an exemplary fighter with beautiful control and precision techniques that would make the BEST grappler envious.
My thanks goes out to IronHeart Promotions and the inspiration behind it – Mr. Ray Thompson. This was the most exciting grappling event I have been witness to. The goal of IronHeart Promotions is to bring the nonstop action and the “blood and guts” excitement of the NHB arena to the submission grappling game and from what I saw today – it was a success. I look foward to “bigger and better” and I KNOW beyond a shadow of a doubt it will happen, because I know Mr. Ray Thompson personally and he settles for nothing than the best of the best.
See all of you on May 4th, 2002 – bring your friends – spread the word —- this tournament series will become as prestigious as any grappling event around !!!!!!!!!!!!
Complete Results
No-Gi Novice Place 140 pounds and below Junior Lightweight First – 10 points Second – 8 points Third – 6 points Fourth – 4 points 140.1 pounds – 155 pounds Light Welterweight First – 10 points Brandon Gay Team Psych-Ward Second – 8 points Fred Skelton Team Fulbright Boxing Club Third – 6 points Martin Williams Fourth – 4 points Chris Davis 155.1 pounds – 170 pounds Light Middleweight First – 10 points Jason Miller Second – 8 points Jeffery Ingold Team Columbia Martial Arts Academy Third – 6 points Tony Cantrell Fourth – 4 points Brain Walker Team Fulbright Boxing Club 170.1 pounds – 185 pounds Middleweight First – 10 points Blake Grice Team Upstate Karate Second – 8 points Andrew Varney Team Ground Zero Third – 6 points Scott Estrada Team Alliance / Sucuri Jiu-jitsu Fourth – 4 points Ben Favis 185.1 pounds – 200 pounds Light Heavyweight First – 10 points Chad Peters American Martial Arts Academy Second – 8 points Jackie Page Team Upstate Karate Third – 6 points Fourth – 4 points 200.1 pounds – 220 pounds Heavyweight First – 10 points Caleb Arnold Second – 8 points Third – 6 points Fourth – 4 points 220.1 pounds and up Super Heavyweight First – 10 points Dalero Berkeley Team Upstate Karate Second – 8 points Bruce Workman Team Ground Zero Third – 6 points Fourth – 4 points
No-Gi Advanced Place 140 pounds and below Junior Lightweight First – 10 points Second – 8 points Third – 6 points Fourth – 4 points 140.1 pounds – 155 pounds Light Welterweight First – 10 points Second – 8 points Third – 6 points Fourth – 4 points 155.1 pounds – 170 pounds Light Middleweight First – 10 points Muhsin Corbbrey Team Psych-Ward Second – 8 points Mark Mills Team Columbia Martial Arts Training Center Third – 6 points James Linic Team Upstate Karate Fourth – 4 points Bryan Atterson Team Ground Zero 170.1 pounds – 185 pounds Middleweight First – 10 points Beau Corbbrey Team Psych-Ward Second – 8 points Tim Dunlap Team Ground Zero Third – 6 points Mike Robinson Team Upstate Karate Fourth – 4 points Eric Golden Team Psych-Ward 185.1 pounds – 200 pounds Light Heavyweight First – 10 points Charles J Wispert Team Seigler’s Kempo & Jiu-jitsu Second – 8 points Chris Cromer Team Upstate Karate Third – 6 points Larry Hodges Fourth – 4 points Nolan Dutcher Team Upstate Karate / Renzo Gracie BJJ Academy 200.1 pounds – 220 pounds Heavyweight First – 10 points Ashley Lockwood Team Ground Zero Second – 8 points Third – 6 points Fourth – 4 points 220.1 pounds and up Super Heavyweight First – 10 points Chris Rogers Shooters Gym Second – 8 points Tyler Lamonte Team-ROC Third – 6 points Dustin Ware Team Ground Zero Fourth – 4 points
No-Gi Absolute Place First – 10 points Chris Rogers Shooters Gym Second – 8 points Eric Golden Team Psych-Ward Third – 6 points Dalero Berkeley Team Upstate Karate Fourth – 4 points Muhsin Corbbrey Team Psych-Ward
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Gi Novice Place 140 pounds and below Junior Lightweight First – 10 points Second – 8 points Third – 6 points Fourth – 4 points 140.1 pounds – 155 pounds Light Welterweight First – 10 points Second – 8 points Third – 6 points Fourth – 4 points 155.1 pounds – 170 pounds Light Middleweight First – 10 points Josh Domagalski Team Upstate Karate Second – 8 points Richard Romero Team Columbia Martial Arts Training Center Third – 6 points Jeremiah Veloso Team Seigler’s Kempo & Jiu-jitsu Fourth – 4 points Brantley Pope Team Columbia Martial Arts Training Center 170.1 pounds – 185 pounds Middleweight First – 10 points Billy Fletcher Team Alliance / Jacare Second – 8 points Mike Horihan Team Knoxville Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Third – 6 points Scott Estrada Team Alliance / Sucuri Jiu-jitsu Fourth – 4 points 185.1 pounds – 200 pounds Light Heavyweight First – 10 points Chad Peters American Martial Arts Academy Second – 8 points Third – 6 points Fourth – 4 points 200.1 pounds – 220 pounds Heavyweight First – 10 points Trey Bailey Team Seigler’s Kempo & Jiu-Jitsu Second – 8 points Third – 6 points Fourth – 4 points 220.1 pounds and up Super Heavyweight First – 10 points Second – 8 points Third – 6 points Fourth – 4 points
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Gi Advanced Place 140 pounds and below Junior Lightweight First – 10 points John Oliverio Sucuri Jiu-Jitsu / Team Ground Zero Second – 8 points Rusty Haun Team Cross Training Academy/Relson Gracie Third – 6 points Fourth – 4 points 140.1 pounds – 155 pounds Light Welterweight First – 10 points Second – 8 points Third – 6 points Fourth – 4 points 155.1 pounds – 170 pounds Light Middleweight First – 10 points John Hosford Team Knoxville Brazilian Jiu-jitsu Second – 8 points James Linic Team Upstate Karate Third – 6 points Fourth – 4 points 170.1 pounds – 185 pounds Middleweight First – 10 points Charles M Wispert Sr Team Seigler’s Kempo & Jiu-jitsu Second – 8 points Third – 6 points Fourth – 4 points 185.1 pounds – 200 pounds Light Heavyweight First – 10 points Nolan Dutcher Team Upstate Karate / Renzo Gracie BJJ Academy Second – 8 points Larry Hodges Third – 6 points Fourth – 4 points 200.1 pounds – 220 pounds Heavyweight First – 10 points Bob Mynatt Sucuri Jiu-Jitsu / Team Alliance Second – 8 points Third – 6 points Fourth – 4 points 220.1 pounds and up Super Heavyweight First – 10 points Tyler Lamonte Team-ROC Second – 8 points Dustin Ware Team Ground Zero Third – 6 points Fourth – 4 points
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Gi Absolute Place First – 10 points Chad Peters American Martial Arts Academy Second – 8 points Tyler Lamonte Team-ROC Third – 6 points Dustin Ware Team Ground Zero Fourth – 4 points